The McGoff Group is thrilled to announce its partnership with Stewart and Jeannie Pickering, the duo and founders of the highly successful kidsunlimited brand, and the launch of a brand new day nursery in Altrincham; Back to the Garden Child Care. The new venture is the McGoff Group’s second foray into developing new operating ventures that rely on the delivery of new-build settings for rapid roll outs to create asset backed businesses with strong operating cash flows.

It is an exciting new concept that seeks to mimic the huge success of New Care, its care home brand, which is now one of the fastest growing development-led care home operators in the UK, with eight new care facilities in delivery over the next 18 month period. The new venture will also mark the return of Stewart and Jeannie to the child care sector, with the couple re-entering the marketplace after almost 10 years following the sale of kidsunlimited in 2008. Whilst at the helm of kidsunlimited, they opened more than 50 full day care nurseries, which were in short supply, and introduced the first on site ‘workplace’ nurseries in the North West for firms such as HSBC.

The concept for Back to the Garden will challenge the current child care provision in the country. With new build there is an opportunity to significantly improve the economic footprint of nurseries with a design that is environmentally, economically and even socially more sustainable. The setting of the nursery is also significant. Back to the Garden will occupy a spacious and safe corner of the site, with the location strategically chosen to answer national Government calls to position child care facilities away from busy main roads, where elevated levels of pollution are more and more often being linked to hindered general development and the increase in childhood asthma, plus other health related issues. According to a Greenpeace investigation, 35 nurseries in Greater Manchester are located close to roads that break the legal pollution limits.

In addition to the purpose-built nursery, the expertly designed garden and extensive external space will provide an opportunity for children to explore and discover in a natural, safe and stimulating environment, benefiting from a beautiful landscaped setting, a gardening and planting patch, large playground and all-weather play areas.

It is this emphasis on outdoor play and the setting of the nursery that will stand Back to the Garden apart from competitors. Director at McGoff Group, Chris McGoff, says: ‘The success of New Care over the last few years, combining our property and construction expertise to acquire, design, build and operate purpose-built care homes, has undoubtedly encouraged the Group to take the next natural step into operational child care.

‘We are proud to be partnering up with Stewart and Jeannie, who are pioneers in this sector, and firmly believe that we are creating a dream team operator for Back to the Garden Child Care.’ Stewart Pickering adds: ‘It is exhilarating to be involved in the child care sector again and in such a hands-on capacity. From the initial set up of the nursery and overseeing the curriculum and equipment to co-ordinating the recruitment, both Jeannie and I will be an integral part of Back to the Garden Child Care.

‘Our philosophy focuses on the health and wellbeing of each and every child, enhancing their nursery experience with a dedicated commitment on outdoor play and activities in the fresh air.’ Jeannie concludes: ‘We want and will strive to provide the very best child care in the North West, and incorporated into the heart of the design of the nursery and its location are concerning issues regarding air pollution, which causes health problems and affects children’s development.’